Cartridge-loading implement



(NoModel.)

F. G. FARNHAM.

Cartridge Loading Implementl` No. 234,259. Patented Nov. 9,1880.

\ mmmmm i Inca-votar.'

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICEQ.

FRANK G. FARNHAM, OF WHITE MILLS, PENNSYLVANIA.

CARTRIDGE-LOADING IMPLEMENI SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,259, dated November 9, 18810.

Application filed July 19, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK G. FARNHAM, residing at White Mills, in the county of Wayne and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cartridge- Loadin g Implements 5 and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or iigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved device for facilitatingthe loading of cartridges, of the kind known as loading-boards, and my object is to provide in one board for the loading of two gages of shells, and also to provide a simply-constructed, light, and portable device, which can be carried in the pocket without inconvenience.

Heretofore such boards have been constructed of wood, which, in order to have sufficient strengtli,were obliged to be made of such thickness that it was impossible to carry them on the person, while at the same time but one gage of shells could be loaded.

My improvement consists in constructing the device in three sections hinged together, the two outer sections being composed of thin metal, suitably perforated to hold a sufcient number of cartrid ges,and a wooden center-piece with safety-holes for the caps. The three sections are hinged on a common rod and provided with a spring-catch for holding them in a closed position. The entire device, when closed, is not over an inch in thickness.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a perspective view with one side raised, showing a series of empty shells ready to be loaded; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section through the row of perforations for the shells; Fig. 3, a separate view of one of the perforated plates to receive the head of the shells; Fig. 4, a crosssection showing such plate in position.

In these drawings, A B are metallic plates, provided with iianges a b, extending around their edges, and having ears c d, through which passes the bolt c, by which they are pivoted together and permitted to move freely. These plates are perforated with any desired number of openings,fg, the perforations in the plate A being of sufficient size to contain a tengage, and in the plate B a twelve-gage, shell.

.Between the plates A B, and also pivoted on `the bolt c, is a center-piece, (l, preferably made through the plate, reciprocates the spindle of a double catch,j. Thespindle is provided with 'guiding-studs Za k, which work in the slots in the center-board. An ordinary spiral spring serves to throw the catch outwardly, and holds it in such position.

On the end of each of thc sections A Bis a recessed projection, l, provided with the shoulder m, and these shoulders engage automatically with the catch, and thereby hold the device in a closed position.

It is evident that either one or both of the loading-sections maybe released from the catch, which is provided with the thumb-piece n for disengagin g it.

The operation of this device is as follows: Supposin g it to be closed, and that it is desired to load a number of twelve-gage shells, the

thumb-piece is pressed in and the twelve-gagesection raised, the board lying iiat upon the other side. A sufficient number of cartridges to till the perforations are then inserted from the inside, and the twelve-gage section closed and secured by the spring, leaving the cartridges in an upright position, in which they are iirmly held for loading, their bases resting on the wooden center-piece, and their iianges bearing on the edges of the perforation and preventing them from being withdrawn. The iianges on the sections A B allow such sections to close over the center-piece, so that the device when closed is in a very compact form, and this thickness is only that of the centerpiece slightly increased by that of the thin metal plates.

rEhe loading may be accomplished by an ordinary plug or rammer. The safety-holes in the center-piece prevent any danger by the IOO explosion of the cap, while at the same time they allow the exploded caps to be ejected, and serve as cups to prevent them from falling to the floor or ground.

When the cartridges arc loaded the twelvegage section may be raised and the shells removed therefrom. The board may be also then turned over, ten-gage shells inserted on the opposite side, and the operation repeated.

Under some circumstances I prefer to use the plate K. (Shown in a separate view in Fig. 3.) This is provided with perforations a little larger than those on the cartridge-holding sections, being of sufficient size to receive the hanged head of the shell, and thus save the expense and labor of reaming out the holes in the sections A B. The plates K are soldered firmly to the lower side of the sections A B, and really form a part thereof. I do not consider itessential, but sometimes prefer to use it.

The advantages of my device, as will be readily seen by Sportsmen, lie in its cheapness,

its compactness, its lightness, its portability,

and its general convenience and utility for the purpose for which it is intended.

I do not confine myself to any particular kind of metal for making the outer sections, though thin malleable cast-iron will generally be found most suitable. In all cases I prefer a wooden center-piece. Though I prefer to use malleable iron for the outer sections, they can be made of sheet-brass, the perforations being punched with an ordinary press and die. The ears and flanges are then bent into proper shape and soldered at the corner angles, while the projections which retain the automatic snap would be made separately and attached either by soldering or by means of rivets.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is e 1. A device for loading cartridges, consisting of the metallic sections A B, provided with openings to receive the cartridges, and the wooden center-piece C, the parts-being hinged upon a common pivot, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the central section, C, having the sloth, the spring-actuated spindle, having guides 7c and double catch j, and the sections A B, with lugs l Z, as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A cartridge-loading device consisting of metallic sections A B and a center-piece, C, all hinged together, the metallic sections being provided with openings to receive the shells, and with anges a b, and the centerpiece having safety-cavities g and a springfastening, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the sections A B and wooden center-piece C with metal plates K, secured to the inner side of sections A B, and having holes adapted to register with those insaid sections, but of larger diameter, for the purpose set forth.

Intestimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK G. FARNHAM. Witnesses:

J oHN McINfrosH, T. W. FARNHAM. 

